December 8, 1999
Contact: Jan Passama, Communications/Media/Legal Liaison, (510) 670-4225ROCK LA FLECHE: School Pursues New Name
and Direction
Community Invited to Art Show and County Board of Education Meeting(OAKLAND, CA) The Alameda County Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on December 14 at the Rock LaFleche Community Day Center, an alternative day school for teens at risk, operated by the Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE). The Rock LaFleche CDC has expanded its mission and is improving its curriculum.
Students at the school will petition the Alameda County Board of Education during its meeting to change the name of the school to the Rockridge Academy. The students will present to the Board and general public the reasons they feel the new name better reflects the school’s identity. The school invites community members to attend the 6:30 p.m. Board meeting, and to enjoy the student art show featured from 5-6:30 p.m., just prior to the meeting.
Superintendent of Schools Sheila Jordan is excited about the opportunity to tackle the challenges facing this diverse population of special-needs students. The new curriculum emphasizes the arts and technology.
"The development of a partnership with the California College of Arts and Crafts (CCAC) instructors to develop an arts-integrated, project-based curriculum for the school year 2000-2001 is underway. An exciting component will be the implementation of weekly mentor relationships among Rock LaFleche students and CCAC artists," said Jordan.
The new curriculum extends beyond the arts. Proper nutrition will be addressed through lunchtime activities in collaboration with ACOE’s Healthy Start program, in which students will learn about nutrition and prepare their own healthy foods. East Bay Urban Gardeners, a non-profit agency located in Oakland committed to building community and neighborhoods through greening and gardening projects, is also playing a key part in developing a school gardening program. Jeffrey Smith, Executive Director, From the Garden to the Table, will volunteer his expertise to help with fundraising and remodeling of the school kitchen facility.
Superintendent Jordan and Principal Willie Santamaria are enthusiastic about the collaboration between County entities. Santamaria said, "A community effort is necessary in order to make the program become a reality. The improved curriculum will encourage students to seek career opportunities in the arts and to broaden their general knowledge of art and how it applies to everyday life." Santamaria added, "This is a new way for the students to look at curriculum and will present an exciting challenge for all involved."
Jordan stated, "It will take the commitment of many people. We are meeting with a community-collaborative of neighbors, community representatives, and group home leaders to support the efforts of academic achievement for all students at Rock LaFleche."
For more information please contact Louise Music, County Office Program Coordinator, (510) 670-4174, or Suzanne Lacy, California College of Arts and Crafts, (510) 594-3790.
Alameda
County Office of Education
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